My New Assistant

 Visit #1616, Saturday 29 August 26, 6:10-8:30 a.m., 4.1 miles, 1.5 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 60s, sunny and dry.

For the past ten years I have been servicing the trails of Hubbard Park with the perfect backpack.

You can see it held all the important tools of my hobby (Note the red zipper pulls; they come up later). A few months ago one of the important zippers on it failed. I wasn't confident it was repairable and if I failed I'd be in a real pickle without a much needed backpack. So I set out to buy a replacement.

And of course, in those intervening ten years the manufacturer, Dakine, JUST HAD TO CHANGE THE DESIGN. Why mess with what's perfect?!

Well, I contacted the company inquiring because while it appeared the backpack was available in different colors, I could only find it in black and from my research it didn't look like the colored versions would be available any time soon, if at all.

All black-how dumb is that? Contrasting colors make it easy to find buckles and zippers.

So all black was going to have to be it. I ordered one, paying full price, which had doubled in those ten years.

But with the bad came the good. Talking via e-mail with Dakine customer about that color issue, it was learned my almost ten year old bad zipper backpack WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY and they were going to send me a replacement!

Alas, the replacement would be a downsized version and I can't say I have much use for it so for now it sits unused with the factory tags still on it.

And in the interim with a now working backpack, I had the freedom to try my hand at replacing the bad zipper on my dearly beloved. And I did! So now I have a working backpack, a lady in waiting backpack, and a "meh" backpack.

But there was still the issue of the all black design. I couldn't do anything about the black buckles, but I could about the zipper pulls. I went down the rabbit hole of paracord knots. I bought some 2mm paracord after buying too small cord, and commenced to replace at least six zipper pulls on my new backpack.

Paracord Padlock Knot

Paracord Snake Knot

I should be set for at least the next ten years.

I ventured out on Saturday on an obscure trail which has probably not seen regular use in over sixty years. I'd received reports of trash and graffiti on this trail. I didn't find trash as my informant picked all of it up, but I did find some graffiti which I'll address in the future.

On an illegal trail I found a pair of earrings, and a religious tract.

But what's more unusual is this find.

I don't know anyone who carries floss picks let alone toothpicks or dental floss, and decides to clean their teeth while out in the woods.

And continuing Patootie Patrol from last week, I found and removed Cat's Patootie #46 since November 2017.

In more mundane work on Saturday, I did cut back this fallen tree poking in to the trail.

Using the saw that vindicates my choice to buy this every time I use it.

Hiking onward toward Labor Day.

Patootie Patrol

 It was a soaker.

Visit #1615, Sunday 23 August 26, 6:40-8:55 a.m., 3.2 miles, 0.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 70s, rain.

Last week I reported my dissatisfaction removing what I call the Cat Patootie graffiti, from a trail marker. I had planned on returning mid-week using a more effective method. In the interim, I received an e-mail from a regular park visitor and one of my park informants that there were more to be found.

I'm very grateful when I receive information like this as it makes me more efficient in my work.

As a bonus, this informant ALSO picks up litter which is certainly appreciated, by me and all park visitors.

So on a Tuesday mountain bike ride I went on the hunt to perform both tasks.

I returned to my unfinished trail marker and removed the ghost image remaining from last week.

Then the hunt was on for the other tags.

My wire brush wouldn't touch this.

All that was catalogued. I returned via bike again on Friday to cover everything.

While Patootie Patrol was done, I still had a fallen tree I discovered last week, AND during my mountain bike rides through the trails this week, discovered MORE fallen trees needing removal.

Things got off to an interesting start on Sunday morning, for as I was loading up my backpack in the parking lot, a goose wandered over looking for food and found none. But that didn't stop them from tasting ALL of my zipper pulls!

I waited until they deemed all the zipper pulls inedible then picked up my backpack and headed out.

And I didn't have to go far, for I found a newly fallen tree I was not aware of, located on the Soap Box Derby track. Since I had my chainsaw with me, I went to work on it.

I didn't carry loppers with me today so I'll have to tidy things up next week.

Hiking up the short steep pitch to the clearing adjacent to the water treatment plant, I discover this enormous, multi-ton boulder had dislodged itself and tried rolling down the trail only to be stopped by a tree. I hike this trail often enough to know this was very recent. Crazy stuff.

It started raining and would continue to do so for the rest of my hike but no matter, I was expecting it.

Here's the second tree to be removed, on the trail behind the water tank.

It was a long trek to the third tree, down below the wooden walkbridge.

Enroute to the fourth tree I found another of our park's vandal's never ending posting of junk, which I removed.

And still raining, I finished off the fourth and final tree, this one on what some may know as the "Yellow Duck" trail because of the trail markers.

Finally, from the Dodging Handcuffs department, as I reached the parking lot, a Meriden police officer pulled up in his squad car and asked me if I was cutting down trees. I pleaded my case and showed him the photos on my phone, avoiding a pat down search, a reading of my Miranda Rights, and a 'cuffed ride in the back seat.

I'm Strictly A Poseur

 

Visit #1614, Sunday 16 August 26, 6:15-9:20 a.m., 5.7 miles, 6.9 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 60s, sunny and slightly humid.

Picking up litter on the trails of Hubbard Park is child's play compared to what these ladies do.

Like one woman says in the video, "We're the Green Berets of environmental do-gooders."

I think they are, and that makes me just a lowly Latrine Queen, which in fact I was in Air Force basic training.

So I hiked today in extreme modesty after being humbled by the OLAUG group.

Up by the water treatment plant, I stumbled upon Cat's Patootie #40 since November 2016.

My standard method of removal left a ghost image on the trail marker. I shall return and be victorious!

Behind the water tank I found a newly fallen tree. I shall return next week for that too, in a Power Tool Weekend®.

But this other fallen tree which I came upon didn't have to wait a week for removal. Folding saw to the rescue!

This land based trash poseur finished his hike.

Be Careful Out There

 Visit #1613, Sunday 9 August 26, 6:10-8:05 a.m., 3.5 miles, 4.9 lbs. of litter.

As this article from The Economist points out, a lot can go wrong on the trail and help isn't five minutes away.

Besides the more life threatening things that can happen, you might trip over a fallen tree or get scratches on your face as you brush by a bent branch. This week I removed some of those safety hazards.

Personally, I carry a first aid kid, a special blood clot kit when I bring my chainsaw, compass, emergency whistle, food, water, and a sense of direction!

The first two trees I encountered I wasn't made aware of last week because I didn't hike this particular trail. Which is why I choose this trail this week since I had the big tools with me.

Fact is, I didn't need my chainsaw on these two above; my folding saw is proves itself time and again that it can handle many of the smaller jobs.

This third tree fell this past week and here I did begin using my chainsaw.

Now on to what I was made aware of during last week's hike.

Here it is in mid-removal.

And last...

All done to lessen your potential for injury. However, if you get lost or aren't wearing the proper clothes, you're on your own. Be careful out there!